Vibrator



F. L. RENGA Jan. 14, 1941.

VIBRAT OR Filed Jan. 30, 1939 1 /534. Janna 0" 23%; 35 @x/wZoowATTORNEYS,

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VIBRATOR ApplicationJanuary 30, 1939, Serial No. 253,565

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to a vibrating or massaging device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vibrator which islight and compact, as

a well as simple and rugged in construction, which may be readilyassembled.

The present invention more particularly contemplates the provision of anelectric vibrator which is manually adjustable as to the character n ofthe vibrating action produced and which is, accordingly, capable ofbeing arranged to exert the desired degree and force of vibration tosatisfy the particular use or user. To this end the present inventionprovides an electrically vibratable 15 device having relatively movable,manual control parts which are adjustable to damp the eifect normallyproduced and producing a varying damping effect in accordance with thedegree of adjustment.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provideelectromotive vibrating means in combination with a resilient dampingdevice adjustably movable against the vibrator for limiting and dampingthe movement thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibratingcontrol device as above which is actuable longitudinally by relativelymoving a member providing an end wall or cover for the device.

Among other objects of the invention are to provide improved mountingand supporting means for supporting an electromotive driving member, aswell as vibrator supporting members, and adapted to permit assembly ofsaid parts into a unit with a minimum of positive fastening means; toprovide a vibrating device in which the vibrator is supportedresiliently at two points spaced equally with respect to the vibratingmemher and adapted to exert a balanced axial force upon the vibratormember to prevent wear of reciprocating parts; and to provide animproved cooperating handle member manually engageable on all sides forfacilitating support and control during use.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent throughout the course and progress of the followingspecification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a vibrator constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken centrally through the vibrator shownin Figure 2 on the line 3-3 thereof;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken through the device shown in thefigures on the line 4-4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken vertically through the constructionon the line 5--5 in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the mounting brackets;

Figure '7 is a perspective View of the vibrator spring-leaf supports;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a sleeve forming part of theadjustment assembly; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a resilient spring retainerconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, wherein one illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed more in detail, in Figures 1 to 5 thereare shown a vibrator comprising an outer shell or casing !0 having asomewhat parabolic section in an axial direction, at the apex orrelatively narrow extremity of which is mounted a control switch l2 ofany conventional type. The opposite face or wide extremity of the shellI0 is closed by a wall l4 forming part of a cap or cover plate andhaving an annular, laterally extending flange or wall portion I5terminating in a shell-embracing portion lfl. As clearly shown in Figure2,

the annular flange or shell-embracing portion 18 is ultimately assembledpositively in position, as shown in Figures 1 and 4., by means ofmachine screws 20.

The aforesaid shell or casing accommodates an interior mechanismcomprising a magnetic actuating means 22 and a resiliently supportedactuator assembly 24, which is reciprocated thereby. The foregoinginterior assemblies are rigidly supported within the shell by means of apair of brackets 26 the individual construction of which is shown morein detail in Figure 6. Each of the brackets 23 comprises a rearwardlyextending arm 26 flanged inwardly as at 30 adjacent its upper and loweredges for embracing the core of the magnetic coil, as will hereinafterappear. Suitable apertures 32 are provided for fastening the coilpositively thereto. Laterally upwardly and downwardly extending arms 34in the plane of the arm 28 terminate in opposed, parallel, in-

wardly projecting flanges or lugs 36, which are slotted as at 38 toaccommodate the vibrator supporting springs, as will hereinafter appearmore in detail. The brackets are each provided at their forward end withan outwardly projecting flange or lug 40 apertured as at 42 forattachment to the forward wall M of the vibrator housing by means ofmachine screws 44, Figure 4. The magnetic actuator coil is designated bythe numeral 46 and has a generally E-shaped core 48 of preferablylaminated construction, which is rigidly mounted within the pair ofopposed brackets 26 by means of machine bolts 50, see Figures 3 and 4.An insulating block or panel 52 secured to the rearward, laterallyextending portion of the core provides a support for a plurality ofdistributing contacts or terminals 54, it being understood that conduits56, supplying the incoming electric current, are, together with othersuitable conduits, connected to the coil 46 and control switch l2through the control panel in a known manner so that the switch l2 maycontrol the operation of the magnet coil.

The means 24 for initiating the mechanical vibration comprises a bar 58having magnetic properties and extending across and being coextensivewith the free extremities of the E- shaped core 48. The bar 58 issecured adjacent either extremity to a pair of leaf spring members 60through the agency of a machine screw 62. In the instant embodiment, itshould be noted that a washer 6-4 spaces the spring leaves against theclamping action of the machine screws to minimize frictional resistancebetween the leaves of the spring as well as to resiliently retain thespring members in the brackets, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the extremities of thespring laminations 60 reside within the recesses 38 formed in theinwardly projecting flanges 36 of the brackets 26, and it should benoted (see Figure 7 that the spring leaves are shouldered at either endas indicated by the reference numeral 63 to further engage and positionthe parts. It should be noted that while the present structure may beeasily assemblable, the parts are positively and firmly positioned, thatis to say, the springs are positively maintained in the supportingrecesses 38 by their securement to the ends of the bar 58, while at thesame time lateral displacement is prevented by means of theinterengagement of the shoulders 63 of the leaf spring members in thevicinity of the supporting recesses.

A vibrator bar or shaft 66 is rigidly secured to the center of the bar58 and extends outwardly of the housing through a sleeve 68. Thissleeve, shown in detail in Figure 8, is provided with a laterallyextending, retaining flange 16 at one extremity and a threaded portion12 adjacent the other extremity and separated by an intermediatethreaded portion 14 of relative- 1y greater diameter and havingrelatively large threads. The sleeve 68 is rotatably and threadedlysupported by a collar 16 which is mounted in a central aperture in thefront wall [4 of the housing, being peened over to be secured fixedly inplace. A rubber collar or washer I8 is interposed between the inner endor flange portion 10 of the sleeve and the magnetically responsive bar53 as a cushioning element. It will be evident, therefore, that as andwhen the sleeve 68 is relatively adjusted axially of the shaft 66 byrotation with respect to its supporting collar 16 the relative freedomof movement of the movable parts of the vibrator is variably controlled,the rubber member 18 serving as a resilient buffer.

Axial adjustment of the sleeve 68 is effected by movement of a controlcap 80 located opposite the wall 14 of the housing and having arearwardly extending annular flange 82 about the said portions of thehousing. The flange 82 has a knurled, milled or otherwise roughenedperiphery 84 for facilitating manual engagement. The control member orcap 80 is rigidly fixed to the sleeve 68 by means of a lock washer 85and cooperating locking nut 86, whereby it will be apparent thatrelative rotation of the cap 80 results in rotation of the sleeve andaxial adjustment thereof. A curved spring 88, shown in detail in Figure9, embraces the sleeve 68 and oppositely engages against the wall l4 andthe inner surface of the cap 80 at its central portion and termini,respectively, to oppositely tension the parts.

The foregoing unit is mounted upon a supporting handle 98, shown more indetail in Figures 1 and 3, which is axially bored to accommodate theelectrical supply conduits 56. A clamping bushing 92 threadedly engagesthe extremity of the handle 90, as shown in Figure 3, for rigidlylocking the handle to the casing l8.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the instant handleis provided adjacent its upper end with an annular recess or indentation94 adapted to receive the thumb of the user in the position shown inFigure 1. Since the recess extends completely about the periphery of thehandle, the vibrator unit may be turned freely in any direction whilebeing grasped in the foregoing approved manner. It will be seen thatthis greatly facilitates the use and action of the unit.

A massaging fitting 96 which is mounted on the end of the vibratableshaft 66 has a bellshaped conformation, but this constitutes merely oneillustrative form of a device adapted to be contacted by the portionsunder treatment, and it will be understood that this element may besubstituted and replaced by any suitable equiva lent treatment devices.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that in operation alternatingcurrent is supplied under the control of the switch 12 through themagnetic coil 46 so that the magnetically responsive bar 58 and theshaft 66 and fitting 96 commence to reciprocate toward and away from thecore pieces 48 in accordance with the electrical alternations. It isimportant to note that the reciprocation of vibration is restricted bythe free ends of the core pieces 48 and the position of the rubberbuffer T8. Assuming that the operator desires to reduce the severity ofthe vibration, the knurled portions 84 of the cap are grasped androtated in a right-hand direction relative to the casing ID to force thesleeve 68 and the rubber collar 18 axially inwardly to yet furtherrestrict the action of the bar 58. Amplification of the vibratory actionoccurs when the cap is rotated in the opposite direction. The presentinvention provides a vibrator construction which is simple and yetreadily adjustable by simple manipulation and under the control of theoperator at all times. It has been found, in accordance with the presentinvention, that it is preferable to provide left-hand threads on theportion 12 of the sleeve 68 with a reversely extending thread on theportion 14 to insure against unauthorized disassembly.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendantadvantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant; advantages,the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purposeof illustrating the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a massaging device comprising a massaging fitting for applicationto the body, a casing having an annular side wall portion, an end capextending transversely across one end of said casing and having amanually manipulatable annular flange outwardly overlying said annularwall portions in embracing relationship, a vibratable portion comprisinga resiliently supported armature in the casing and a shaft operativelyconnected with said armature extending axially of the casing andoutwardly of the casing through said cap, said outer extremity of theshaft comprising means for receiving a massage fitting, said cap beingrotatably mounted with respect to said shaft and said casing, resilientbuffer means between the armature and cap, and means operable inresponse to rotation of said cap for shifting said buffer member towardthe armature for restricting the amplitude of vibration.

2. In a massaging device comprising a massaging fitting for applicationto the body, a casing having an annular side wall and an enclosing endwall, a vibrator motor in said casing comprising a resiliently mountedvibratable armature, and a shaft operatively connected therewith andextending axially of the casing and through said end Wall, meansassociated with the outer extremity of said shaft for engaging amassaging fitting, an adjustment cap disposed outwardly beyond said endwall and extending parallel with said end wall, said cap being mountedfor axial rotation relative to said shaft and said end wall, resilientbuffer means in said casing and shiftable axially in response to therelative rotation of said cap for restricting the vibratory movement.

3. In a massaging device comprising a massaging fitting for applicationto the body, a casing having an annular side wall and an enclosing endwall, a vibrator motor in said casing comprising a resiliently mountedvibratable armature, and a shaft operatively connected therewith andextending axially of the casing and through said end wall, meansassociated with the outer extremity of said shaft for engaging amassaging fitting, an adjustment cap disposed outwardly beyond said endwall and extending parallel with said end wall, said cap being mountedfor axial rotation relative to said shaft and said end wall, resilientbuffer means in said casing and means shiftable axially in response tothe relative rotation of said cap for moving said resilient buffer meanstoward said armature for restricting the vibratory movement, said casinghaving side walls tapering axially from said end wall to a central,apexial, portion and a control switch control knob substantially axiallydisposed at said apexial portion.

4. In a massaging device comprising a massaging fitting for applicationto the body, a casing having an annular side wall and an enclosing endwall, a vibrator motor in said casing comprising a resiliently mountedvibratable armature, and a shaft operatively connected therewith andextending axially of the casing and through said end wall, meansassociated with the outer extremity of said shaft for engaging amassaging fitting, an adjustment cap disposed outwardly beyond said endwall and extending parallel with said end wall, said cap being mountedfor rotation relative to said end Wall,

resilient buffer means in said casing and means shiftable axially inresponse to the relative rotation of said cap for moving said resilientbuffer means toward said armature for restricting the vibratorymovement, said cap having a manually manipulatable annular flangeoutwardly overlying said annular side wall portions in embracingrelationship for facilitating rotation, and resilient frictional meansdisposed between said cap and end wall for yieldably holding the cap inany relative rotational position.

5. In a massaging device comprising a massaging fitting for applicationto the body, a casing of generally parabolic form having annular sidewall portions converging to an apexial portion at one extremity of thecasing and a transverse end wall disposed adjacent the other end of thecasing, a vibrator motor within the casing and comprising an armature, ashaft operatively connected with said armature and extending throughsaid end wall, the outer end of said shaft comprising means forreceiving a massage fitting and a control member disposed outward ly ofsaid end wall and journaled for rotation about said shaft, said controlmember being operatively connected to means within the casing forrestricting the vibration of said armature uponrelative rotation of saidcontrol member.

6. In a massaging device comprising a vibratable massaging fitting forapplication to the body, a casing of generally parabolic form havingannular side wall portions converging to an apexial portion at oneextremity of the casing and a transverse end wall disposed adjacenttheother end of the casing, a vibrator motor within the casing andcomprising an armature, a control shaft operatively connected with saidarmature and extending through said end wall, the outer end of saidshaft comprising means for receiving a massage fitting and a controlmember disposed outwardly of said end wall and journaled for rotationabout said shaft, said control member being operatively connected tomeans within the casing for restricting the vibration of said armatureupon relative rotation of said control member, a control switch knobaxially disposed substantially at said apexial portion and a radiallyprojecting handle intermediate of the end portions of said casing.

7. In a massaging device comprising a vibratable massaging fitting forapplication to the body, a casing, a shaft extending through said casingand comprising means on its outer extremity for receiving a massagefitting, a vibratory motor within said casing comprising an armatureoperatively connected with said shaft, bracket means for supporting saidmotor within the casing, said bracket means comprising pairs of spacedspring receiving members, leaf spring units supported between each pairof members operatively connected with said armature adjacent theircentral portions.

8. In a massaging device comprising a vibratable massaging fitting forapplication to the body, a casing, a shaft extending through said casingand comprising means on its outer extremity for receiving a massagefitting, a vibratory motor within said casing comprising an armatureoperatively connected with said shaft, bracket means for supporting saidmotor within the casing, said bracket means comprising pairs of spacedspring receiving members, leaf spring units supported between each pairof members operatively connected with said armature adjacent theircentral portions, each spring unit comprising a pair of spring membersspaced adjacent their central portions and oppositely embraced adjacenttheir extremities by said members.

9. In a massaging device comprising a vibratable massaging fitting forapplication to the body, a casing, a shaft extending through said casingand comprising means on its outer extremity for receiving a massagefitting, a vibratory motor within said casing comprising an armatureoperatively connected with said shaft, bracket means for supporting saidmotor Within the casing, said bracket means comprising pairs of spacedspring receiving members, spaced leaf spring units supported betweeneach pair of members operatively connected with said armature adjacenttheir central portions, said spring units being disposed on either sideof the axis of said shaft and said shaft being operatively connected tosaid armature at a point substantially intermediate between said springunits.

ii). In a massaging device comprising a vibratable massaging fitting forapplication to the body, a casing, a shaft extending through said casingand comprising means on its outer extremity for receiving a massagefitting, a vibratory motor within said casing comprising an armatureoperatively connected with said shaft,

bracket means for supporting said motor within the casing, said bracketmeans comprising pairs of spaced spring receiving members, leaf springunits supported between each pair of members operatively connected withsaid armature adjacent their central portions, and a control sleeveembracing said shaft and journaled for rotation thereabouts, said sleevebeing axially shiftable in response to relative rotation for restrictingvibration of said armature.

11. In a massaging device comprising a massaging fitting for applicationto the body, a casing having enclosing annular side wall portions and atransverse end wall disposed adjacent one end of the casing, a vibratormotor within the casing and comprising an armature, a shaft operativelyconnected with said armature, and extending through said end wall, theouter end of said shaft comprising means for receiving a massage fittingand a control member disposed outwardly of said end Wall and journaledfor rotation about the axis of said shaft, said control member beingoperatively connected to means within the casing for restricting thevibration of said armature upon relative rotation of said controlmember.

FERNANDO L. RENGA.

